FACTORS INFLUENCING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS' INTENTION TO USE ONLINE EDUCATION PLATFORMS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the factors influencing intention to use e-learning platforms in universities in Sichuan, China. Research design, data and methodology: Quantitative methods and data collection A questionnaire was used as a tool to collect sample data. Prior to distributing the questionnaires, the content validity and reliability were assessed using Item-Objective Congruence and pilot testing. Goodness of model fit was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, and causal relationships between variables were determined for hypothesis testing. 
 The study found that the conceptual model was able to predict behavioral intention (BI) to use mobile educational platforms in higher education, and that perceived ease of use (PEU) and attitude towards use (ATT) were the two key antecedents of behavioral intention to use mobile educational platforms.
 It is concluded that ATT is the strongest factor in direct BI use and that social influence, convenience and expected performance have a significant effect on ATT. Therefore, this study suggests that mobile educational platform developers and higher education administrators should focus on improving the usability factors of mobile educational platforms so that students find the platform useful and further develop good attitudes and behavioral intentions to use mobile educational platforms.